CRAIG GORDON DOCUMENTARY DETAILS NECK SURGERY PARALYSIS RISK

Hearts and Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon underwent neck surgery earlier this year after consulting London-based spine specialist Usamah Jannoun. Jannoun told Gordon directly that the procedure carried risks including paralysis and death. Gordon has since travelled to Charlotte, North Carolina, where Scotland are preparing for a World Cup. A BBC Scotland documentary captures the behind-the-scenes consultation between Gordon and Jannoun.

The documentary, titled Icons of Football, becomes available on BBC iPlayer from Wednesday at 06:00 BST. It covers Gordon's career, which he describes as a series of comebacks against persistent injury. He has missed an estimated 1,975 days of football across his career, equating to approximately 200 games, due to ankle problems, broken arms, a broken leg, knee surgeries, and neck and shoulder issues. In 2012, Gordon suffered patellar tendonitis while at Sunderland, spent two years without playing, consulted specialists in Sweden and Spain, underwent three surgeries, and saw a psychologist after the club questioned whether his pain was psychological.

Gordon made his Scotland debut more than 22 years ago, before several members of the current World Cup squad were born. Squad members Ben Gannon-Doak, Findlay Curtis and Tyler Fletcher had not yet been born at the time of his debut, and Aaron Hickey was one year old. A surgeon at one point advised Gordon to retire, but he chose to continue his career. He is now part of Scotland's World Cup preparations in Charlotte, North Carolina.